Several great options exist for people who wish to enhance their home with the addition of an indoor or outdoor sauna.

Modular or pre-built sauna kits, also known as prefab sauna kits, are recommended for folks who, for whatever reason, want a home sauna that is easy to repeatedly assemble, dismantle, move and re-assemble. Only a few tools (like a hammer and square), the most basic carpentry skills, and an extra set of hands should be needed to assemble a modular sauna properly. Even the time required for assembly about one hour - is a small investment, so you and your friend should be able to enjoy your sauna on the same day that you build it.

Pre-cut sauna kits typically appeal to homeowners who are confident enough in their abilities to take on rewarding do-it-yourself home renovation projects. Pre-cut sauna kits should contain all of the materials needed for a permanent sauna installation. Correctly building a sauna from a pre-cut kit, however, requires more time, tools and talent than assembling a pre-built sauna does.

To many sauna enthusiasts, no sauna, pre-built, pre-cut or otherwise, is an authentic traditional Finnish sauna if it lacks any of several essential elements: a sauna heater or sauna stove; sauna rocks; high temperatures, and water to help regulate the humidity level. These elements work together to create the ideal sauna bath ambience for the Finnish sauna fan.

Unlike a conventional Finnish sauna, which relies on steam to heat the air, a far infrared sauna uses radiant energy, similar to the heat of the sun, to heat a sauna bather directly. Infrared saunas have attracted a large, loyal following in recent years, partly because many sauna bathers find the temperatures inside infrared saunas to be more tolerable than those found in traditional Finnish saunas.

While Finnish saunas certainly offer great therapeutic value in their own right, the long list of health benefits associated with regular infrared sauna use also continues to contribute to the infrared saunas booming popularity.

If you are looking to buy a home sauna, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the many types of saunas on the market. Talk to a sauna sales consultant about your individual needs in relation to the various options available. The more informed you are before you buy your sauna, the happier you will be after you have made your purchase.